The Los Angeles Lakers, on Tuesday, were the last of the five to meet with Howard. Mark Medina, a beat writer for the Los Angeles Daily News, tweeted that Howard said he had "a lot of great meetings" and that the coveted free-agent center plans to leave town through the July 4 holiday.

Ramona Shelburne, sports columnist for ESPNLA.com, tweeted that Lakers point guard Steve Nash, coach Mike D'Antoni and Kobe Bryant met separately with Howard and had an "honest" conversation about issues LA faced during the 2013 season.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement released by the team: “At the meeting, we told him how important he is to the Lakers team, franchise, fans and community, and why we feel this is the best place for him to continue his career. We are hopeful that Dwight decides to remain a Laker.”

The Atlanta Hawks met with Howard on Monday. Hawks general manager Danny Ferry and new coach Mike Budenholzer met with Howard in Los Angeles. Ferry had no comment except to tell ESPN's Shelley Smith the meeting went "well."

The Golden State Warriors followed Atlanta in the lineup. But Golden State, which would have to have Howard and the Lakers agree to a sign-and-trade, was considered a longshot.

As for the Rockets, who sent a star-studded contingent to LA on Sunday and were the first team to meet with Howard, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Rockets believed they had effectively stated their case.

“I feel like we did everything and answered every question and we’re the best option for him to win,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said on Tuesday. “I like how he is going about the process. He is taking his time and weighing everything. We think when he does that, we’ll come out ahead.”

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